Oleochemical esters — environmentally compatible raw materials for oils and lubricants from renewable resources

Due to the increasing market relevance of environmentally labelled products, the ecological properties of oleochemical esters have been intensively studied within the last couple of years. In general, their aquatic toxicity is very low or almost negligible, and they are readily biodegradable in most cases. They have not to be labelled as “dangerous for the environment” according to the EU Dangerous Substance Directive. Their origin from renewable resources results in lower net CO₂-emissions (“global warming”) compared to petrochemical products. Not many lubricants have such rather positive ecological profiles. Thus, most of them are classified in the most favourable water hazard class, i.e. in WGK 0. In addition, they fulfill the requirements of several European environmental labels, e.g. “Blauer Engel”. These favourable ecological properties together with their well established technical performance recommend the oleochemical esters as suitable base oils for the development of high performance “green” oil and lubricant products.